AL East Analysis

Baltimore Orioles

I predicted them to finish 2^nd in the East. However, I believe they could be a team to beat the New York Yankees. The strength of this team is clearly the pitching. Overall their pitching is young and very good, possibly the best in the AL East.  Fernandez is their oldest, and is only 31, so really I think this team has very good rotation depth if they were to lose a starter. Even their bullpen is fairly strong, and they have some players in AAA that could boost their pen if needed or even to use as trade pieces. The area I see them lacking is at the corners, 1B, 3B, LF, RF and DH. Really I do not see anything really strong in terms of power, which may hurt their chances, and as good as Harold Baines was in the past, he is 35, and who knows how he may hit. I think if they can improve their hitting over the course of the year they have a very good chance to beat out the Yankees, and go deep in the playoffs.

Boston Red Sox

I predicted them to finish 3^rd in the East, and really I only see them as being anywhere from 2-4 in the division. They have a good middle of the lineup, but the rest of their hitters are starting to get old, and with the way their bench looks, I feel like a small retooling might work more for them than trying to compete. Their pen is pretty strong, but then there is the rotation. Behind Clemens, there is not a lot of upside, and they lost one of their starting pitchers for three and a half months. I really do not see them being able to surpass New York or Baltimore. If they are able to pick up another strong bat, or another ace quality pitcher, then maybe they will be able to compete with the Yankees and Orioles.

Detroit Tigers

Well I predicted them to finish 4^th. Sorry Cadmus. Their team is starting to get old, with 6 of their starting lineup above 30, and some of them looking to be on the wrong side of 30, this could be an issue. They do have some strong hitters from 2-6 it will just be how strong it stays. The good thing for them is that Fryman is young, and if he can rebuild around him then they could have a strong team, or he may be able to net some pieces to improve his team. His pitching is the worst in the AL East in my opinion, but David Wells should be fairly good for him. If his team has the lead early, I think his bullpen will be able to keep it together, and for this reason, I can see them moving between 3^rd to 5^th, depending on what happens during the course of the year. Realistically I think the Tigers need to get an outfielder, unless they wait for their talent to come up over the course of a few seasons, they also really could use an ace.

New York Yankees

Now you have the Yankees, who I have predicted to win the AL East. Overall their pitching is really good, and hitting is also very good. Their starting pitchers should be able to compete, none of them are going to win the CY Young, but they are all very strong. Their backend is also very strong, and they have a young Ramiro Mendoza, who looks to be quite a good short relief pitcher. If they can out pitch Baltimore they will run away with the division, if not then they will have to rely on their hitting. I would say they have the best hitting in the AL East, but they still need some power I think. It should be interesting if they let young Bernie Williams start over Pose, but I think that their offense should be able to make up the difference to let them win the division. If they do improve any position, it would be 2B or SS.

Toronto Blue Jays

Mike has clearly made it known he is rebuilding, and that is why I pick them to finish last. Honestly with the team they still have I could see them finishing fourth. However, I know Mike will trade off some pieces, and I think in time teams will see that they need some of his pitching, and that is where Toronto is strongest. Their rotation is very strong at the start, and then drops off in their 3-4-5. Although, his 3-4 are not bad, they just are not of the same caliber as his starting two. Then you have the bullpen, and Ward is still in his prime, and a fantastic closer. The rest of his bullpen is okay, but nothing particular stands out. As for his hitting there are some nice pieces there for teams who need a DH or maybe OF or CF, but really nothing stands out again, although it should be interesting to see how Delgado does if he ends up being a catcher, or if Mike moves him to 1B.